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4004 laredo

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:26 am
by jpbo
Hi
I'm new in this forum and to the rick world,i recently bought a 4003 blueburst, it was at the dealer for a while,i'm more than satisfied,such a great sounding bass,i'm playing for over 15 years and this bass stands now beside my 64 jazz and 75 precision.
Now my question is, i saw on rick wed site the 4004 laredo,very nice bass,i'd like more infos about this bass,how does it sounds compare to my 4003?the site saids hardwood body is someone knows what is mainly used?
and is it the same neck? any input to help will be appreciate
Thank you for this forum it's very helpful
Pierre

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:43 am
by jdogric12
Welcome Pierre. Sorry I know nothing about 4004's, but lots of people here do, and can help you out. And we'd love to see pics of your Blueburst 4003. Cheers, J

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:04 am
by blueflamerick
The Laredo is a very nice bass. The 1st version of this bass consisted of a maple body, neck, and fingerboard. The current version consists of a maple body and neck, with a bubinga fingerboard.

As far as sound goes, I think it' subjective. I personally don't think my Laredo sounds that different from any other Rick I have.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:05 am
by j_gary
Welcome Pierre. Some nice basses you have there.

I have both a 4003 and 4004. I find that the 4004 is lighter, easier to play, with a more round and or stout neck, more quiet, and offers a more dark & thick tone.

If you are in love with the classic Rick "clank", the 4003 is the way to go. The 4004 is different enough that it's worth carrying both if your palette is diverse, and your wallet full.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:26 am
by kcole4001
Welcome, Pierre!

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:41 am
by thx1955
Hi Pierre,
Welcome to the Forum.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:42 am
by rickenbrother
Welcome, Pierre!

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:45 am
by johnallg
Welcome, Pierre! I will add to Gary's post in that the Laredo (and Cheyenne) has humbucking pickups that are high output and a bit darker sounding then the single coils on the 4003. That said, the 4004 still says "Rick" when you play it, but with a slightly darker and stronger flavor. Worth a tryout if you can find one.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:06 am
by jps
Welcome, Pierre! Are you related to the movie camera poeple?

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:15 pm
by zoomduck
Hi Pierre . I have a 4004Cii with RIC toaster single coil pickups . Sounds alot like a 4003 .

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:31 pm
by jwr2
The best way to describe a stock Laredo is it sounds like the basses used on Yes 90125.

There are a few easy mods that can be done to a 4004.

It can be wired Volume, volume, tone like a jazz bass. This allows for the pickups to have subtle blending.

You can put in toaster or high gain pickups and 250k ohm pots for a 4001/4003 sound.

You can add a 1000k ohm tone pot to give the 4004 a brighter sound.

And of course you can convert it to a 5 string bass.

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/93-4004L-5.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/05-4004cii5.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/98-4004ci5.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/2002%204004cii5.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/4004-goth.htm

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:32 pm
by jwr2
and most of those mods are reversable

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:41 pm
by jpbo
Thanks to everybody
all theses infos are very appreciated,i hope i will have the chance to play a laredo,it seems very rare to find,i post a pic of my 4003 blueburst
pierre
oneImage

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 2:33 am
by edski
While I respect the mods that Jeff and others have done, some of us like the Laredo stock...

It took a while for me to figure out how to EQ my amp to let the Rick clank come out (essentially crank the treble up), but now I get a very satisfying Rick sound with a strong deep foundation.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:48 am
by jwr2
the 4004 is a nice bass stock ... but it has more possibilities when modified ...